[Magalon]

Hello there.

In a recent computer build, I used two 512 sticks of PC3200 400MHz CL2 Hyper X Kingston RAM for my ASUS A8R32-MVP Deluxe motherboard, aiming for a 1 gig dual-channel configuration. As it turns out, this was a stupid decision, since that RAM's dual-channel potential was build for an intel board (with the A8R is not) and as such, it would not post with the sticks in dual-channel configuration. To remedy this (since two sticks of intel ram that's not dual-channel is a major bottleneck for my performance) I was planning on getting some new RAM. After some research, I settled on this ram; two sticks of 1gb Corsair TWINX2048-3200C2, perfectly capable for dual-channel configurations, tested on lots of intel AND AMD boards. Now, being a relative newbie at building computers, I have a few questions.

Is there anything I have to think about when changing my RAM sticks? Any cleanouts that have to be done? Do I have to backup anything?

Since the voltage is different on the Kingston RAM (2.6V) and the Corsair (2.75V on their homepage, and 2.5V on my retailer's homepage) do I have to change anything in the bios after I put in the new RAM (i.e. upping the voltage (whatever that is anyway) to match the value that the new RAM requires?)

Also, there seems to be a sequence of numbers that lists in the specifications on these different memory sticks. 2-3-3-6 for the Corsair RAM and 2-3-2-6-1 for the Kingston. It lists under latencies, I belive. What does this mean? Why are there more numbers on the Kingston then on the Corsair? Do I have to consider this when changing the RAM sticks?

I appreciate the help!

 

[Magalon]

Bump.

I also read that this particular Corsair RAM doesn't actually run at the latencies (as a believe it's called) that Corsair says, (2-3-3-6) but at another value, and that you have to manually set it to the latencies that are advertised. Is this true? What can I do about it if I buy this RAM, should I change it in the BIOS?

 

[kenleekenlee]

You really shouldn't have to worry about your RAM. RAM is, for the most part, pretty much the same. The mobo should be able to run your memory at a range of voltages. As for the previous sticks of RAM not being dual channel as advertised, there's something wrong with that. Are you sure you seated the two RAM sticks in the color-coordinated slots? For dual channel to work, the memory needs to be in the right slots on the board. There may also be an option in the BIOS to enable/disable dual channel. Good luck.

 

[Compiler]

RAM isn't exactly "dual channel" Its just 2 sticks and the MOBO supports talking to them both in an interlace matter.

Motherboard will run both sets of RAM at the lowest compatible speed.

 

[Magalon]

Yes. When I placed the two sticks of RAM each in the blue slots (A1 and B1 i believe they are called) the system would not post. When I switched them to blue and black, the system posted. Here's what it says on my retailers website about that RAM:

Kingston's Hyper X kits are made and tested for meeting the demands of the dual channel arcitecture found on motherboards based on Nvidia's nForce2 and Intel's Canterwood and Springdale chipsets.

(free translation. I think that is where I messed up, since they apparently were made for different chipsets)

However, if the voltages are fine, do I have to do anything to the latencies (the X-X-X-X string of numbers thing) when I get the RAM? I really want this RAM to work fine, and I would like to run it at the speeds that are advertised.

 

[schusterjo]

Asus makes a nice list of ram that is supported by your motherboard called "QVL" list
For you motherboard here is the list of supported ram
http://www.asus.com.tw/999/download/products/1042/1042_10.pdf

Now you can see from the motherboard webpage at Asus here
http://www.asus.com.tw/products.aspx?l1=3&l2=15&l3=268&model=1042&modelmenu=1

You look on the left side and you will see QVL, now you know what is the recommended ram

 

[Magalon]

Thank you for the list, however, I am looking for 2gb of RAM (two 1 gig sticks) and the only 1024 sticks that ASUS "support" are no-name brands that I haven't heard of, and aren't available where I live. If I'm going to buy new RAM, I'm going to buy from a quality manufacturer, Corsair, Crucial, Kingston. The only Corsair and Kingston (Crucial isn't present) sticks of RAM in their QVL are 256 and 512 sticks, so no dice. I know that the RAM I have picked out will work on my board, I just want to know if I have to change anything in the bios/whatever after I've bought them to make them work as advertised.

 

[schusterjo]

Okay then what you need to do is check out the motherboard configuration system that pretty much all ram manufacturers have on their websites.
I went here
http://www.corsairmemory.com/corsair/configurator_search.html
Plugged in

Searchby Motherboard or System Model

Find all the Corsair memory compatible with your system

Step 1: Select the Type of Search
Desktops/Servers

Step 2: Select the Manufacturer
Asus

Step 3: Select the Model
A8R32-MVP

And got this
A Complete List of Modules Compatible with your Product
CMX1024-3200PRO DDR-400 (PC-3200) 1GB 3-3-3-8-2T
CMX1024-3200PT DDR-400 (PC-3200) 1GB 3-3-3-8-2T
CMX256A-3200C2 DDR-400 (XMS-3200C2) 256MB 2-3-3-6-2T
CMX512-3200 DDR-400 (XMS-3200C2) 512MB 2-3-3-6-2T
CMX512-3200C2PRO DDR-400 (XMS-3200C2) 512MB 2-3-3-6-2T
CMX512-3200C2PT DDR-400 (XMS-3200C2) 512MB 2-3-3-6-2T
TWINX1024-3200C2PRO DDR-400 (XMS-3200C2) 1GB Kit (2 x 512MB) 2-3-3-6-2T
TWINX1024-3200C2PT DDR-400 (XMS-3200C2) 1GB Kit (2 x 512MB) 2-3-3-6-2T
TWINX2048-3200C2PT DDR-400 (XMS-3200C2) 2GB Kit (2 x 1GB) 2-3-3-6-2T
TWINX2048-3200PT DDR-400 (PC-3200) 2GB Kit (2 x 1GB) 3-3-3-8-2T
TWINX2048-3500LLPRO DDR-434 (XMS-3500LL) 2GB Kit (2 x 1GB) 2-3-2-6-1T
TWINXP1024-3200C2 DDR-400 (XMS-3200C2) 1GB Kit (2 x 512MB) 2-3-3-6-2T
TWINXP2048-3200C2 DDR-400 (PC-3200) 2GB Kit (2 x 1GB) 3-3-3-8-2T
VS1GB333 DDR-333 (PC-2700) 1GB 2.5-3-3-7-2T
VS1GB400C3 DDR-400 (PC-3200) 1GB 3-3-3-8-2T
VS1GBKIT333 DDR-333 (PC-2700) 2GB Kit (2 x 1GB) 2.5-3-3-7-2T
VS1GBKIT400 DDR-400 (PC-3200C25) 1GB Kit (2 x 512MB) 2.5-3-3-8-2T
VS1GBKIT400C3 DDR-400 (PC-3200) 1GB Kit (2 x 512MB) 3-3-3-8-2T
VS256MB266 DDR-266 (PC-2100) 256MB 2.5-3-3-3-2T
VS256MB333 DDR-333 (PC-2700) 256MB 2.5-3-3-7-2T
VS256MB400 DDR-400 (PC-3200C25) 256MB 2.5-3-3-8-2T
VS256MB400C3 DDR-400 (PC-3200) 256MB 3-3-3-8-2T
VS2GBKIT400C3 DDR-400 (PC-3200) 2GB Kit (2 x 1GB) 3-3-3-8-2T
VS512MB266 DDR-266 (PC-2100) 512MB 2.5-3-3-3-2T
VS512MB333 DDR-333 (PC-2700) 512MB 2.5-3-3-7-2T
VS512MB400 DDR-400 (PC-3200C25) 512MB 2.5-3-3-8-2T
VS512MB400C3 DDR-400 (PC-3200) 512MB 3-3-3-8-2T
VS512MBKIT400 DDR-400 (PC-3200C25) 512MB Kit (2 x 256MB) 2.5-3-3-8-2T
VS512MBKIT400C3 DDR-400 (PC-3200) 512MB Kit (2 x 256MB) 3-3-3-8-2T

Do you need to change anything in your bios? you shouldn't, should be auto detected and set to best performance.

 

[Magalon]

Thank you again.

A few reviews on Newegg read like this for the Twinx2048-3200c2:

"As others have reported, it didn't default to the correct timing settings in the BIOS. But, that is an easy fix."

"You have to manually change voltage and timings. Not a big deal..."

"BIOS sets it up w/ normal latency, need to correct BIOS settings manually"

"You have to set the RAM settings to Manual in your bios and set it to the specified 2-3-3-6 T-1 and you also need to manually set the memory voltage from 2.6 to 2.75 to get it to work right."

"The default memory timings (according to Crucial, because that's the standard for PC3200) are 3-4-4-8 rather than 2-3-3-6 so you have to change the settings in your BIOS. If your BIOS doesn't let you set the timings, you're stuck with 3-4-4-8."

"BIOS does not automatically detect the correct voltage and timings. You have to set them manually."

"Can`t handle the timing 2-3-3-6 on the Asus A8N Premium motherboard experience multiple crashes, had to put automatic timing on 3-3-3-8."

 

[schusterjo]

Understood,
You may need to set the trimmings lower but your bios is going to automatically set the times to "best performance" what it thinks is a safe and stable setting. You may be able to run lower settings and still run stable but like I said bios will automatically set it to what it thinks is safe. Remember its your motherboard that controls the speed not the ram, So you can have the fastest ram in the world but if your motherboard does not want to run at that speed its not ever going to see that fast speed.

 

[Magalon]

Thank you for the help. Now, the core question. Is it possible and generally reccomended to change the voltages and latencies on the RAM on my particular motherboard, and in my BIOS? If so, how do I do that?

 

[Compiler]

The voltage for RAM is next to the timmings... *IF* it has it. Hence the issues with name-brand systems which don't include such options (and for good reason).

Go into BIOS and dig around - its not hard to find. It'll say something like "RAM" with options for latency, etc.